How to Catch a Monster casts the Doctor

Posted February 9, 2013 - 09:00
by
CB Droege

Matt Smith has snagged a major role in the upcoming Ryan Gosling sci-fi flick.

How to catch a Monster is described as a modern, urban fairytale fantasy. The film is Ryan Gosling’s directorial debut. Much of the plot details are still under wraps - and since it’s not based on a book or video game, we have no other way of knowing what it will be about - but we’re getting some interesting news about casting.

First cast was Christina Hendricks (best known for her role on AMC’s Mad Men) in the role of Billy, a woman who explores a fantasy world along with her son, Bones. Though it’s not clear from the synopsis which of the two is the protagonist of the film, it’s likely Billy, since she was cast first.

Then we heard that Eva Mendes was cast, but we don’t know what role she’ll play. It’s unlikely that she’ll be a love interest for Bones, as she’s a bit old for that part. We do often get a lot of 20-somethings playing teens in Hollywood, but Mendes is 39 now, which would be pushing it, even for Hollywood.

Now we’ve got word from the filmmakers that Matt Smith (who plays the current incarnation of the Doctor on Doctor Who) has been cast in the film. At first there was speculation that he would be playing the part of Bones, though, like Mendes, his age would be a bit of a stretch for the role. Luckily, casting director has since dispelled that notion on Twitter in response to a question from a fan, though with no clarification of what part, or even what kind of part, he will be playing:

Everything we know about the plot comes from this brief synopsis, from the first casting call:

How to Catch a Monster weaves elements of fantasy noir, and suspense into a modern day fairytale. Set against the surreal dreamscape of a vanishing city, Billy, a single mother of two, is swept into a macabre and dark fantasy underworld while her teenage son discovers a secret road leading to an underwater town. Both Billy and Bones must dive deep into the mystery, if their family is to survive.